Obama recalled Putin Syria and Afghanistan

US President Barack Obama said he does not expect a “180-degree turn” from Russia’s strategy in Syria and that President Vladimir Putin will abandon his defense of the regime of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.

“They have invested four years in keeping Assad in power. Their presence there is due to their support. And it will take them time to reconsider their approach to this problem,” Obama said at a press conference as part of a climate summit in the suburbs of Paris.

According to Voice of America, the presidents of the United States and Russia held unplanned half hour meeting on the margins of the conference, discussing, among other things, the political solution of the Syrian conflict.

Obama reiterated that the United States believes President Bashar al-Assad should leave office as part of a transition process. Moscow, according to the American leader, needs to focus its military efforts on the fight against the Islamic State, as the international coalition is doing, and not on Assad’s moderate opposition. Russia insists it is only attacking Islamic State positions, despite claims from the United States and its allies that Russian airstrikes also target rebel bases.

Russian media do not disclose the details of Putin’s communication with Obama. Much more attention in Russia was caused by a fragment of Obama’s speech when he reminded Putin of the military campaign in Afghanistan in 80's.

“I think Mr. Putin has too fresh memories of Afghanistan to get bogged down in an inconclusive, paralyzing civil conflict. Obviously, that's not what he wants," Obama said.

In addition, as it became known on Tuesday, the United Statesare in charge of the “shock special forces” to Iraq, but he will also have operations in Syria against the Islamic State on Syrian territory.

“Over time, this special forces will be able to conduct raids, free hostages, collect intelligence and capture ISIS leaders,” the Pentagon chief noted during a congressional hearing. “This unit will be capable of conducting unilateral operations in Syria.”

In October, the American authorities sent to Syria special forces numbering “less than 50” people, it was reported, solely for the purpose of coordinating the movements of the Syrian armed opposition with the international coalition, and not for participation in military operations.